Microsoft Edge, browsing data, and privacy

Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 helps you browse, search, shop online, and more. Like all modern browsers, Microsoft Edge lets you collect and store specific data on your device, like cookies, and lets you send information to us, like browsing history, to make the experience as rich, fast, and personal as possible.

Whenever we collect data, we want to make sure it’s the right choice for you. Some people worry about their web browsing history and other Internet site visits being collected. They don’t like the idea of people snooping in their stuff, and we get it. That’s why we tell you what data is either stored on your browser or collected by us and give you choices like the controls described on this page. For more information about privacy in Microsoft Edge, we recommend reviewing our
Privacy Statement, particularly the section under Product-specific details on Windows > Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer.

What data is collected or stored, and why

Microsoft Edge saves your browsing history, which is made up of info about the websites you visit, on your device. If the Diagnostics data setting is set to Full, this browsing history is sent to Microsoft, which helps us find and fix problems and improve our products and services for all users. If you choose to turn on Tailored experiences, we will use this browsing history to personalize your experiences with Windows and other products and services. Separately, if you choose to enable browsing history within the Cortana Notebook Permissions, your browsing history is also sent to Microsoft so Cortana can help personalize your experience.

When you’re searching for something, Microsoft Edge can give suggestions about what you’re typing, just like a search engine. If you leave the Show search and site suggestions as I type setting turned on, then as you start to type, the info you enter in the address bar is sent to Bing to give you immediate search and website suggestions.

Microsoft Edge also has features to help you and your content stay safe online. Windows Defender SmartScreen automatically blocks websites and content downloads that are known to be malicious. First, Windows Defender SmartScreen checks the address of the webpage you're visiting against a list of webpage addresses stored on your device that Microsoft believes to be legitimate. Addresses that aren't on your device’s list and the addresses of files you're downloading will be sent to Microsoft and checked against a frequently updated list of webpages and downloads that have been reported to Microsoft as unsafe or suspicious.

To speed up tedious tasks like filling out forms and entering passwords, Microsoft Edge can save info to help. If you choose to use those features, Microsoft Edge stores the info on your device and doesn’t send it to Microsoft.

To protect some video and music content from being copied, some streaming websites store Digital Rights Management (DRM) data on your device, including a unique identifier (ID) and media licenses. Then, when you use the website, it retrieves the DRM info to make sure you have permission to use the content.

Microsoft Edge also stores cookies, small files that are put on your device as you browse the web. Many websites use cookies to store info about your preferences and settings, like saving your sign-in so that you don’t have to type in a password each time you visit. Some websites also use cookies to collect info about your online activity to show you interest-based advertising. Microsoft Edge gives you options to clear cookies and block websites from saving cookies in the future.

Microsoft Edge will send Do Not Track requests to websites when the Send Do Not Track requests setting is turned on. Websites may still track your activities even when a Do Not Track request is sent, however.

When you use Microsoft Edge in InPrivate mode, browsing info like cookies, history, and temporary files aren’t saved on your device after your browsing session has ended. Start new InPrivate sessions from More  on desktop and from Tabs on a mobile device.

How to clear data collected or stored by Microsoft Edge:

To clear browsing info stored on your device, like saved passwords or cookies:

In Microsoft Edge, go to More > Settings.

Under Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear.

Select the check box next to each data type you’d like to clear, and then select Clear.

If you’d like, turn the Always clear this when I close the browser setting to On.

To clear browsing data sent to Cortana (only on Windows 10 on your desktop, not mobile):

On a Windows 10 device, open Cortana’s home from the search box on the taskbar.

Go to Cortana’s Settings > Permissions & History, and then select Change what Cortana knows about me in the cloud.

Scroll to the bottom of the page, and select Clear.

If you’re interested in seeing a list of the sites you’ve visited, sign in to your account at
account.microsoft.com. In addition, you also have the option of clearing your browsing data from this site.

To stop Microsoft Edge from collecting your browsing history:

Under Diagnostic data, select Basic. If the options are grayed out, you may be using a device managed by your workplace or organization. In that case, you'll see Some settings are hidden or managed by your organization at the top of the Diagnostics & feedback screen.